Bedrooms
Every resident has his own private, fully furnished bedroom with a television, suitable storage and high-speed Wi-Fi. OHC does not operate shared bedrooms or dormitories.
Refer someone
Making a referral
is straightforward.
For professionals, family members or anyone supporting a man who may benefit from OHC. Send a brief initial enquiry below or call us directly.
Who we can support
Willingness to recover is enough to start a conversation.
Open Hands Coventry provides peer-led recovery housing for adult men committed to achieving and sustaining abstinence from alcohol and non-prescribed drugs. Recovery is rarely straightforward, so we consider each person individually rather than relying on a rigid checklist.
If someone has the desire to stop and the willingness to engage, that is enough to start a conversation.
Registered and accountable. Open Hands Coventry is a registered charity (No. 1115626) and company (No. 05619174), governed by a board of trustees.
How accommodation is funded. Accommodation charges are generally met through Housing Benefit for eligible residents. Eligibility is considered individually, and OHC helps residents complete and submit the relevant documentation during the move-in process.
Suitability at a glance
Commitment
OHC is abstinence-based. Residents must be committed to remaining free from alcohol and non-prescribed drugs and to taking an active part in their recovery programme.
Alcohol withdrawal
Someone who is physically dependent on alcohol may need medically supervised withdrawal before a placement can begin. OHC does not provide detoxification. Where appropriate, we may help someone contact an external treatment or healthcare service about medically supervised alcohol withdrawal.
Opioid substitution medication
Being prescribed methadone, buprenorphine or another opioid substitution medication is not an automatic barrier. We may accept someone who is stable on a supervised prescription and committed to reducing it gradually to zero, at a safe pace agreed with their prescribing service. Any reduction must be planned and supervised by the relevant healthcare professional.
Mental and physical health
Mental or physical health concerns do not automatically prevent someone from coming to OHC. We consider each person individually, including whether his needs can be safely supported within our charity. OHC may not be suitable where someone has acute or severe needs requiring regular clinical oversight.
Criminal justice
Referrals from probation, prisons and other criminal justice services are welcome. Every proposed placement is subject to an individual risk assessment to protect the safety and stability of the house community.
Placement boundaries
A safe and stable recovery environment.
- OHC houses are alcohol-free and illicit-drug-free. Residents must remain abstinent from alcohol and non-prescribed drugs.
- Personal willingness is essential. OHC is a voluntary programme and cannot support someone who is being coerced into a placement and has no personal desire to engage with recovery.
- A placement may not be suitable where a person’s current risks, offending history, legal restrictions or safeguarding concerns cannot be safely managed in communal accommodation. This may include risks relating to serious violence, arson or sexual offending. Every case is considered individually.
What residents are expected to do
Expectations are clear from the start.
Residents must:
- Remain abstinent from alcohol and non-prescribed drugs
- Take prescribed medication as directed
- Take part in house meetings and the recovery programme
- Maintain their room and shared areas
- Contribute to the running of the house
- Take an active part in peer support
These expectations are central to the OHC model.
Support available
Structured support built around peer experience.
Support at OHC is built around the Helper Principle: one person in recovery helping another. Residents support one another as part of their own recovery. This peer support is recognised and recorded as part of the programme.
Residents are also supported by permanent staff, experienced volunteers and senior residents in house leadership roles. Additional help includes support with benefits, housing, debt and digital access.
All support staff and volunteers have Enhanced DBS checks and Level 2 Safeguarding training.
Financial and debt advocacy
Debt can undermine stability and become a considerable source of stress during recovery. We help residents understand correspondence, communicate with creditors and debt collection agencies, and work towards realistic repayment or resolution arrangements. Our aim is to reduce immediate pressure and help residents develop greater financial stability and independence.
Benefits advocacy
Benefits claims and reviews can be difficult to manage during early recovery. We help residents with Universal Credit, PIP, ESA and other benefit matters, including forms, supporting information, correspondence and preparation for assessments or reviews. Where appropriate, we help residents challenge decisions or access specialist advice.
Residents are encouraged to use local gyms and take part in physical activity. They are also supported to explore education, training and volunteering opportunities.
Each resident agrees an individual recovery programme, with goals and support reviewed as his circumstances change. Read how the programme is shaped around each person.
Your room and practical information
Privacy, dignity and clear arrangements.
What does an individual recovery programme involve?
There is no single routine imposed on everyone. Each resident’s programme is developed with him around his needs, risks, abilities and progress. It may include daily structure, practical living skills, individual and peer support, mutual aid, help with healthcare appointments, benefits, debt and digital access, and support to explore education, training, volunteering or employment when ready.
Read more about how OHC works →How long can someone stay?
The main-house recovery programme usually lasts for up to two years. Those who complete the main programme and are ready to progress may be considered for longer-term second-stage supported accommodation.
Your room, dignity and privacy
Open Hands is built on communal recovery, but every resident has his own private bedroom. We have no shared bedrooms or dormitories. Each room is fully furnished and has its own television, suitable storage and high-speed Wi-Fi, providing a quiet and dignified space in which to rest or join online recovery meetings in privacy.
Rent
Accommodation charges are generally met through Housing Benefit for eligible residents. Eligibility is considered individually, and OHC helps residents complete and submit the relevant paperwork during the move-in process.
Deposit and rent in advance
OHC does not require a tenancy deposit or rent in advance. A lack of immediate funds should not prevent someone who is ready for recovery from contacting us.
Utilities and meals
A reasonable weekly service charge covers heating, electricity, Wi-Fi and meals. The amount is explained clearly before a placement is agreed.
Medical detox
If someone needs help to stop drinking safely, OHC does not provide detoxification. Where appropriate, we may help them contact an external treatment or healthcare service about medically supervised alcohol withdrawal.
Not sure whether OHC is suitable? Call us before making a referral. We will give you an honest answer.
Professional referral overview
A one-page summary of OHC, suitability criteria, and the referral process: for hospital discharge, probation, and recovery workers.
Initial referral enquiry
Start a conversation with OHC
Please provide only the basic information needed for us to contact you and consider whether OHC may be suitable.
Please do not include medical or mental health details, medication, offending history, detailed risk information or other sensitive personal information. If the initial enquiry appears suitable, we will explain how to provide the information needed for a full assessment.